The Faircare Alliance says a petition calling for the province to keep its promise and build a patient tower for patients north of the Malahat is gaining traction.
According to the alliance, the petition has already garnered more than 230 members which represent over 90 per cent of active members to have the government act on promised upgrades to local health care.
“The petition calls for a commitment to the promised patient tower and expansion of tertiary services as soon as possible, and as a first priority,” they say. “Physicians stress the lack of such services has harmed patients across Central and North Vancouver Island for decades.”
Vice-president of medical staff at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital David Coupland says the population continues to grow, but medical demands aren’t growing at the same pace.
“We don’t have a tertiary hospital, which provides specialized services, that a population of our size should’ve had by now and long ago,” he says. “We’re approaching 490,000 north of the Malahat and we don’t have a hospital to accommodate it.
“We’re not meeting the standard of care for our population, we’re way below where we should be.”
In March, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital board chair Janice Perrino said the board sent a letter to the province to outline the steps already taken to avoid any delays.
“We’re formally requesting the province approve the concept plan and proceed with business planning in 2025-2026,” she said. “The Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is prepared to fully fund this stage to avoid further delays.”
According to a media release, the Local Medical Committee (LMAC), which is comprised of all departmental leads, has endorsed the petition’s demands.
President of Nanaimo Medical Staff Association Dr. David Forrest says the support for the petition and better care is overwhelming.
“With close to 90 per cent of Nanaimo’s physicians signing on, and the commitment from the public, the message is undeniable,” he says. “This community can’t wait any longer.”
